Uniform Compression Garment and Method of Manufacturing Garment

Abstract

A method of manufacturing a compression garment comprises obtaining a plurality of model measurements at various locations on a model body. Thereafter, a plurality of garment dimensions are calculated for various locations on the garment. Each calculation of a garment dimension is based at least in part on one of the plurality of model measurements and at least in part on a target elongation for the garment. In at least one embodiment, calculations for various garment dimensions are performed by inserting the plurality of model measurements into a pattern equation that includes a model measurement variable and a target elongation variable. After calculating garment dimensions, a plurality of fabric segments are prepared for the garment based on the calculated dimensions. Each of the plurality of fabric sections comprise elastane and are characterized by a modulus of elasticity.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A garment configured to be worn on a human body having a plurality of human body parts, the garment comprising:
 a main body comprised of a plurality stretchable fabric segments, wherein the plurality of stretchable fabric segments are designed and dimensioned such that substantially the entire main body is stretched in order to cover the plurality of human body parts, and wherein the plurality of stretchable fabric segments are also designed and dimensioned to apply a substantially uniform compression force to each of the plurality of body parts when substantially the entire main body is stretched to cover the plurality of human body parts.   
     
     
         2 . The garment of  claim 1  wherein the main body is configured to cover the arms, legs and torso of the human body. 
     
     
         3 . The garment of  claim 1  wherein each of the stretchable fabric segments has a modulus of elasticity such that a first stress force required to achieve 20% elongation of the stretchable fabric segment does not vary by more than 50% from a second stress force required to achieve 50% elongation of the stretchable fabric segment, and a third stress force required to achieve 80% elongation of the stretchable fabric segment does not vary by more than 50% from the second stress force. 
     
     
         4 . The garment of  claim 3  wherein the modulus of elasticity is such that a first stress force required to achieve 20% elongation of the stretchable fabric segment does not vary by more than 20% from a second stress force required to achieve 50% elongation of the stretchable fabric segment, and a third stress force required to achieve 80% elongation of the stretchable fabric segment does not vary by more than 20% from the second stress force 
     
     
         5 . The garment of  claim 1  wherein a flat measurement of the garment at any location on the main body is provided by the following pattern equation:
     M= ½  B /( E+ 1)
 
 wherein M equals the flat measurement for the garment at a garment location, 
 wherein B equals a model measurement associated with the garment location, and 
 wherein E equals a target elongation. 
 
     
     
         6 . The garment of  claim 5  wherein the modulus of elasticity is such that a 0.5 to 3.0 pound force results in at least 50% elongation of the fabric segment. 
     
     
         7 . The garment of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of stretchable fabric segments are further designed and dimensioned to apply the substantially uniform compression force to each of a plurality of different individuals wearing the garment, the different individuals having bodies that fit within the particular garment size. 
     
     
         8 . The garment of  claim 7  wherein the garment is further designed and dimensioned to stretch within a target elongation range, the target elongation range such that the garment will apply the substantially uniform compressive force to most of a population of individuals having bodies that fit within the particular garment size. 
     
     
         9 . The garment of  claim 8  wherein the target elongation for the garment is determined based on an elongation that will provide the substantially uniform compressive force to be applied to about 90% of the population of individuals having bodies that fit within the particular garment size. 
     
     
         10 . A garment comprising:
 a plurality of fabric segments connected together to form a plurality of garment portions including at least one limb portion and a torso portion;   the limb portion having different dimensions at a plurality of measurement locations on the limb portion, the dimensions at each of the plurality of measurement locations on the limb portion based at least in part on one of a plurality of model measurements and at least in part on a target elongation for the limb portion, each of the plurality of model measurements associated with a location on a model body, the model body representing normal body dimensions for a range of bodies within a particular garment size, and the target elongation for the limb portion within an elongation range that will provide a uniform compressive force at each of the plurality of measurement locations on the limb portion to a substantial majority of the range of bodies within the particular garment size; and   the torso portion having different dimensions at a plurality of measurement locations on the torso portion, the dimensions at each of the plurality of measurement locations on the torso portion based at least in part on one of the plurality of model measurements and at least in part on a target elongation for the torso portion, each of the plurality of model measurements associated with a location on a model body, the model body representing normal body dimensions for a range of bodies within a particular garment size, and the target elongation for the torso portion within an elongation range that will provide a uniform compressive force at each of the plurality of measurement locations on the torso portion to a substantial majority of the range of bodies within the particular garment size.   
     
     
         11 . The garment of  claim 10  wherein the model measurements from the model body are median measurements from a population of individuals having bodies that fit within the particular garment size. 
     
     
         12 . The garment of  claim 10  wherein the target elongation for the torso portion and the target elongation for the limb portion is based on an elongation that will provide a uniform compressive force for the garment to most of the population of individuals wearing the garment. 
     
     
         13 . The garment of  claim 12  wherein the target elongation for the garment is based on an elongation that will provide a uniform compressive force to about 90% of the population of individuals having bodies that fit within the particular garment size. 
     
     
         14 . A garment comprising:
 a plurality of fabric segments connected together to form a plurality of garment portions including at least one limb portion and a torso portion, the garment having different dimensions at a plurality of measurement locations on the limb portion and the torso portion, the dimensions at each of the plurality of measurement locations fitting a pattern equation, the pattern equation comprising a model measurement variable and a target elongation variable, wherein a value of the model measurement variable differs based on a model measurement associated with the measurement location, the model measurement associated with a location on a model body, the model body representing normal body dimensions for a range of bodies within a particular garment size.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the pattern equation is
     M= ½  B /( E+ 1)
 
 wherein M equals the flat measurement for the garment at the garment location, 
 wherein B equals the model measurement associated with the garment location, and 
 wherein E equals the target elongation. 
 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein E is a constant such that the target elongation is uniform for the entire garment. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the model body is a graphical model body and the model measurements are obtained by referencing a database of model measurements stored in a memory. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14  wherein each of the plurality of fabric segments has a modulus of elasticity that is substantially the same in both a length direction and a width direction. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the modulus of elasticity is substantially the same for each of the plurality of fabric segments and wherein the modulus of elasticity is such that a 0.5 to 3.0 pound force results in at least 50% elongation of the fabric segment.